25 years strong – The Four Winds Festival 2016 a triumph!

BY The Four Winds Festival | 29-Mar-2016

The 2016 Four Winds Festival held in Nature’s Concert Hall at Barragga Bay, was the biggest Festival ever, with 4300 people attending across the 21 Festival events. @4WindsBermagui @FourWindsFestival @four_winds_bermagui

There was a diary of free events on Good Friday, three outstanding evening concerts at the Windsong Pavilion - entirely booked out - three beautiful and intimate house concerts, two gigs at the Bermagui Community Hall and around 1100 people on each day, Saturday and Sunday in the Sound Shell amphitheatre.

Chair Sheena Boughen said “ We are 25 years strong, and I am thrilled at the start of our 25th year that we can launch this world class facility, and start anticipation building after such a successful event.”

Ms Boughen said that the overall impression from audience feedback was that people loved the music, some of which was challenging, some surprising, and some overwhelmingly beautiful.

The calibre of the artists, both Australian and international, was outstanding, and in what is becoming a Four Winds tradition, all the performers formed an orchestra to play the last piece, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Zubin Kanga was on the piano in an electric blue jacket, and artistic director Paul Dean played the soaring clarinet.

Local businesses noted how cheerful audience members were with happy people buying dinner, fish and chips, going to the pub, buying coffee and generally having a great time.

The food tents showcasing local produce such as Wapengo Oysters and Cobargo Home Made Ice-cream were very well attended, and the children’s tent, offering free childcare was at times at capacity.

The major fundraiser for a $100,00 to buy a Concert Grand Piano, sold by the piano key (of which there are 88,) has had a most encouraging start, and shows the support from so many audience members.

What's next? This Sunday 3 April in the Four Winds Sound Shell at 2pm the Sydney Youth Orchestra presents 'Mozart by the Sea'. Tickets are $10 and under 16 years free and available at the gate.